Philippians 3:7-11

 7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What
is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them
rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness
of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—
the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ
and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,
becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection
from the dead.

Meditation:
1. Paul had credentials. His family heritage, training, and zeal would have
secured him a prominent place in the society. But Paul’s encounter with Christ
radically changed his values. When Paul stood face to face with the risen
Christ, his resume did nothing for him. And all that Paul had once considered
assets he now counted as losses. What mattered now was relationship
with Christ. Spiritual formation is learning to recognize and abandon those
things that must be counted as losses in light of our encounter with Christ
(possessions, credentials, attitudes, etc.), so that we might focus on the
“gain” of relationship with Christ.
2. What are the things that I count “gain” but actually are “loss” and may
become “the weight and the sin that clings so closely” (Heb 12:1) for my
heavenward journey? How can I change my perspective and consider
everything as secondary to knowing Jesus as my Lord?

Personal Note:
The things that I counted as "gain" but actually are "loss" are my skills as a swift trader, my attitudes of self dependency, academic pride, lustful images, and empty intimacy.  I changed my perspective by receiving and loving Jesus Christ as my first priority.